Navigating the landscape of sexual intimacy often involves addressing topics that can be sensitive or divisive. One such aspect is the use of lubricants or lube, a subject that sparks various opinions. If you find yourself wondering whether lube is necessary, especially during your postpartum experience or in response to suggestions from others, this article is here to guide you. We’ll break down why lube is needed, the different types of lube, what to watch out for, and our best lube postpartum recommendations.
- Why Do You Need Lube Postpartum?
- What Kind of Lubes are There?
- Are There Ingredients to Avoid in Lube?
- Our Top 5 Recommended Lubes
This article is written with an assumption that the reader is ready for more sexual activity postpartum. Yet, I do also understand the many challenges and transitions women go through delving back into sexual intimacy postpartum. If you’re not sure you’re ready for lube, I would highly recommend looking more specifically at our articles that address the nuances of postpartum like: when is it safe to orgasm postpartum, increasing libido while breastfeeding, and embracing your Mom Bod. They give you great ideas and ways to tune into your body until you are ready for sex.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Slippery Stuff
|
| View on Amazon | |
 | Coconu
|
| View on Amazon | |
 | Uberlube
|
| View on Amazon | |
 | Coconut Oil
|
| View on Amazon | |
 | Sliquid Organics
|
| View on Amazon |
Why Do You Need Lube Postpartum?
One of the biggest needs for lube postpartum is due to vaginal dryness and hormones. Particularly if you have chosen to breastfeed, you will experience more vaginal dryness due to hormones affecting your vaginal lining.
Why? Because of the hormone prolactin. Prolactin is essential for milk production, but simultaneously decreases estrogen–the hormone responsible for vaginal lubrication.
If you want more information on this hormonal interplay, refer to our article on increasing libido while breastfeeding.
Also, concerns about potentially painful sex are some of the most common worries I’ve heard from women who are nervous to re engage in postpartum sex. After everything your body has been through postpartum, I don’t blame you if it feels intimidating. But it’s important to recognize that while painful sex may occur, it is not the norm. Please check in with your medical provider or a licensed pelvic floor physical therapist.
Lube can help by making things more slick, allowing time for us to get used to where our bodies are at, and can help sex feel closer to our pre-pregnancy experience. Again, always consult your trusted healthcare provider and a pelvic floor specialist for personalized guidance. Lube is not the answer for everything. These professionals can ensure there are no underlying issues and assist in strengthening your pelvic muscles.
I also want to dispel a myth regarding lube. I’ve heard stories of women, and even men, being shamed for using lube. Some may feel they shouldn’t need it, or that if a woman was truly aroused by her husband she’d naturally produce enough vaginal lubrication (insert a major eye roll here).
For some women, myself included, you may not produce a lot of “ natural vaginal lube.” If relying on lube allows penetrative sex to be more enjoyable, while increasing the frequency you would do it again with your partner, then it may not be an entirely evil thing.
Vaginal dryness, micro-tearing, hormones, and stitches can all play a role in postpartum sex. While it may not solve every problem, lube can help with a lot of these.
*Please make sure that you wait for the green light from your provider before you have penetrative sex. After birth you have a large dinner plate sized wound in your uterus from the placenta that needs to heal before any foreign substance (*cough sperm) touch it, or infection can occur.
Here’s a brief educational video that sums this up.
What Kind of Lubes Are There?
Various types of lubricants are available in the market, with the top three being water-based lube, silicone-based lube, and oil-based lube. I’ve provided a detailed breakdown of each below.
There are two other popular subcategories I have seen in my research, but want you to be aware of. They are aloe based lube and CBD based lube.
Side note: Many people have found that they are allergic to aloe based lubricants. If you do buy a lube containing aloe vera in it, test it on a small area of your skin (like the inside of your elbow), before using it for sex.
With CBD based lubes some pelvic floor specialists recommend it as a way to relax pelvic floor muscles. The biggest thing is to research and know where the CBD oil is coming from, as it is not regulated by the FDA. You need to know the quality and quantity contained in the lube, as poor quality could lead to infection. As always, double check with your provider or pelvic floor specialist.
So how do you know which lube will be the best for you? Well, it does depend. Some lubes are compatible with condoms, while others may compromise their integrity. Similarly, certain lubricants can be used with sex toys, while others may not be. Ultimately, the choice depends on what you are doing and, most importantly, what feels comfortable and enjoyable for you.
Water Based
Pros:
- Non staining
- Dries Clear
- Usually gentle for sensitive skin
- Won’t affect toys or condoms
Cons:
- Absorbs quickly
- May need to reapply frequently
Silicone Based
Pros:
- Lasts longer than water based
- More slippery
Cons:
- Cannot be used with silicone toys as it degrades the material
- Silicone is a synthetic ingredient, if you are trying to go more organic/natural these may not work for you
Oil Based
Pros:
- Lasts the longest of the lubes, you don’t need to reapply
- Usually more natural organic
Cons:
- Cannot be used with latex condoms as they can rip or break them down
- Can Stain
- Some people experience infections after use
Are There Ingredients to Avoid in Lube?
It may come as a surprise that there are things you may want to avoid in lube.
While sparkly, fragrancy, and tingly sound fun and lovely, they actually will cause big problems in our vaginas–leading to infections or an increase in vaginal dryness. Try to steer clear from those advertised with fragrances, sugars, sensations, and glitter.
Also, using a lubricant with a high or low pH can negatively affect your vagina and, you guessed it, even cause UTI’s, yeast infections, or an increase in vaginal dryness. The WHO recommends using a lubricant with a pH of 4.5 and an osmolality below 1200 mOsm/kg. Without getting too sciency, osmolality (aaz-muh-la-leh-tee) is how fluid moves from one cell to another. If a lube has high osmolality, it will suck moisture from the vaginal tissue–leading to more vaginal dryness.
Keep in mind that some women’s vaginas run more “basic” while some women’s vagina’s will run more acidic. So trying to pick the one that is best for you, while staying close to the World Health Organization’s recommendations, is great.
Look out for lubes that also contain:
- Petrochemicals (like ethylene and propylene),
- Glycerin,
- Parabens,
- Undisclosed fragrances
If you would like more information and other great info, check out this fact sheet by Women’s Voices.org.
Our Top 5 Best Lube Postpartum
Here are some of our top recommended lubes, presented in no specific order. I’ve tried to find a diverse selection to cater to different preferences. It’s essential to recognize that not every option may suit your body, and personal preferences may vary. If some choices don’t align with you, that’s perfectly okay. The key is not to dismiss lube entirely, but to explore and find what works best for you and your partner postpartum.
Slippery Stuff Water Based Lube
Slippery Stuff is a water-based glycerin-free lube. It is non-staining, fragrance free, and dries clear and clean without leaving a sticky residue. It is great for those with sensitive skin and a lot of pelvic floor specialists recommend it or use it in their office.
Pros:
- Fragrance free
- Non staining
- Good for sensitive skin
- Dries clear
Cons:
- Need to reapply frequently as it absorbs quickly
Coconu Water Based Lube
Another great water based lube is Coconu. It uses 100% natural ingredients. With no staining or stickiness and is a great natural water based lube to try out. As with most water based lubes you do need to reapply, which can be a bummer at times.
*Unfortunately at this time, Amazon doesn’t seem to be carrying the oil based lube of Coconu. It would be another recommendation for oil based lube that boasts clean ingredients if available.
Pros:
- 100% natural ingredients
- Edible
- No staining or stickiness
- Vegan ingredients
Cons:
- May need to reapply frequently
Uberlube Silicone Based Lube
With over 37,000 reviews on Amazon, you know that there has to be something about this. Uberlube is unscented, flavorless, water friendly, and latex safe. It won’t stain and has a pump for easy one handed use. There is no sticky residue and a little goes a long way. This is a great silicone lube to try, if you would like.
Pros:
- No staining
- A little goes a long way
- No stickiness or staining
- Latex safe
Cons:
- Can’t be used with silicone toys
Organic Coconut Oil
You may laugh, but actually organic oil like coconut oil or even olive oil have been used and can be used as an oil based lubricant. They are natural and organic and if chosen correctly, have no added preservatives.
This may go without saying, but please have separate cooking and bedroom oils so that neither is contaminated. It is best to have a utensil or item to scoop out oil before applying, as reaching your hands in time and time again can lead to bacteria build up.
Also look for unrefined coconut oil and oil that has only been pressed once. As it will be in its most natural state without additives.
Please note that these oils are a little harder to track pH and osmolality as they react differently than other manufactured lubricants do. Try testing a little on your wrist before using it to ensure you aren’t allergic.
Sliquid Organics Aloe/Water Hybrid Lube
I did decide to include this one as it is a water based lube with organic aloe vera juice. It is made with all natural ingredients. It is glycerin and paraben free. Sliquid has a thicker clear gel-like consistency with a gentle formula that is fragrance-free, non-staining, and chemical-free.
Make sure you test this on your wrist or other small area of skin beforehand so you can see if you are allergic while not in the heat of the moment.
Pros:
- All natural ingredients
- Similar to natural ph levels
- Safe to use with Condoms
Cons:
- May irritate your skin, check on a small portion of your body before use.
Final Thoughts
It is ok if sex is looking a little different than it ever has before–birthing a human is no joke. However, you do not need to suffer from vaginal dryness or painful sex. Trying different lubes is ok. Being intimate with your partner again is ok. Slowly but surely you can bring your feminine energy back into the bedroom. It can be hard to feel sexy in your new body, but Mama you are. Plus, you deserve to have some orgasms after all you’ve gone through.
Let us know if you try any of these and how they work for you and your partner!
Niki Cowan has a background in Medicine and Public Health. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist as well as a Medical Assistant. She’s passionate about Women’s Health and empowering women in their journeys. She is married to her wonderful husband Kevin, and they have an active son. While trying to have another little one hasn’t worked out yet, she is pursuing her passions and hoping to gain further education and experience in the area she loves, while playing with her son. She’s an avid reader, Original Great British Baking Show watcher, and very amateur kickboxer.
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